U.S. patent application number 13/317594 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-25 for time and temperature duration indicator for eradicating pests and method of use.
The applicant listed for this patent is Russell Meldrum. Invention is credited to Russell Meldrum.
Application Number | 20130100983 13/317594 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48135946 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130100983 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meldrum; Russell |
April 25, 2013 |
Time and temperature duration indicator for eradicating pests and
method of use
Abstract
A time and temperature duration indicator facilitates
eradicating of pests. The invention contemplates a temperature
sensor including a material that changes color when the desired
temperature is achieved. The color change allows one to view a
colored spot. A wax may be employed that melts at the desired
temperature and provided in sufficient quantity that complete
melting indicates the desired temperature and duration have been
achieved. In another embodiment, a temperature sensor sends a
signal to a computer/timer. When the signal indicates that the
desired temperature has been achieved, the computer starts a timer.
When the timer indicates to the computer that the desired
temperature has been maintained for the desired time interval, the
computer activates an indicator. Several embodiments are
contemplated for holding the inventive device at a desired
location. Methods of operation are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Meldrum; Russell;
(Zionsville, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Meldrum; Russell |
Zionsville |
IN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48135946 |
Appl. No.: |
13/317594 |
Filed: |
October 24, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
374/102 ;
374/E3.001 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01K 3/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
374/102 ;
374/E03.001 |
International
Class: |
G01K 3/00 20060101
G01K003/00 |
Claims
1. A time and temperature indicator, comprising: a) a substrate; b)
a quantity of a temperature sensitive material on said substrate,
said quantity being chosen such that when said material is exposed
to at least a threshold temperature for at least a chosen duration,
said material indicates said temperature has been achieved for said
duration; c) said substrate and material being located in a
location where it is desired to measure said temperature for said
duration.
2. The indicator of claim 1, wherein said substrate is made of a
material chosen from the group consisting of cardboard, plastic and
metal.
3. The indicator of claim 2, wherein said substrate includes
attachment means for attaching said substrate to a desired
location.
4. The indicator of claim 3, wherein said desired location
comprises a hook.
5. The indicator of claim 4, wherein said hook is attached within a
chamber of a dryer.
6. The indicator of claim 2, wherein said substrate is contained
within a container.
7. The indicator of claim 6, wherein said container comprises a
ball.
8. The indicator of claim 6, wherein said container is rectangular
cubic.
9. The indicator of claim 6, wherein said container has fenestrated
walls.
10. The indicator of claim 1, wherein said material comprises a
thermochromic material.
11. The indicator of claim 1, wherein said material comprises a
quantity of wax.
12. The indicator of claim 11, wherein said wax is located over a
colored spot on said substrate.
13. The indicator of claim 11, wherein said wax has a melting point
of about 120.degree. F.
14. The indicator of claim 11, wherein said wax has a melting point
of about 156.degree. F.
15. The indicator of claim 13, wherein said wax completely melts in
about 20 minutes.
16. The indicator of claim 14, wherein said wax completely melts in
about 20 minutes.
17. A method of determining that an area has been elevated to a
desired temperature for a desired time duration including the steps
of: a) providing a time and temperature indicator, comprising: i) a
computer/timer; ii) a temperature sensor connected to said
computer/timer and sending signals to said computer/timer
indicative of a temperature sensed by said temperature sensor; and
iii) an indicator connected to said computer/timer; b) placing said
temperature sensor in a location where temperature is to be
monitored; c) said computer/timer receiving signals from said
temperature sensor indicative of a temperature; d) when said
temperature is at a desired level, activating said timer for a
desired time period; e) said computer/timer activating said
indicator when said temperature sensor has sensed a desired
temperature for a desired time period.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said temperature sensor is
connected to said computer/timer with a wireless connection.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein after said activating step, if
said temperature reduces below said desired temperature prior to
said desired time period being achieved, further including the step
of stopping and resetting said timer and restarting said timer when
said temperature again achieves said desired temperature.
20. The method of claim 17, further including the step of locating
said temperature sensor within a clothes dryer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a time and temperature
duration indicator for eradicating pests and its method of use. Bed
bug infestation of hotels and other facilities has risen to
epidemic proportions. Some of the most prestigious hotels in New
York City have reported bed bug infestations and their customers
have departed those hotels with numerous bed bug bites. Bed bugs
exist in several stages of life including eggs, larvae, and adults.
Bed bugs are a parasite that feeds on the blood of their host,
typically a human being sleeping in a bed. Bed bugs are quite hardy
and can live up to a year without a meal. Typically, their bite is
undetected by a sleeping person and is only evidenced by a small
red dot visible on the skin evidencing blood clotting once the bed
bug has completed their blood meal.
[0002] Bed bugs do not typically transmit diseases but it is quite
unsettling for a person to wake up in the morning and discover they
have been sharing their bed with a small insect that was feeding on
their blood.
[0003] In Practical Solutions for Treating Laundry Infested With
Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) by R. A. Naylor and C. J.
Boase, .COPYRGT. 2010 Entomological Society of America, the authors
discuss a variety of methods for eradicating bed bugs. These
methods include use of insecticides as well as freezing and
heating. The authors conclude that washing bed bug infested laundry
at 60.degree. C. achieves total mortality in all bed bug life
stages, but that a 40.degree. C. wash was sufficient only to kill
active stages but not bed bug eggs.
[0004] The authors further concluded that using a laundry dryer is
effective to kill all life stages of bed bugs where the dryer
temperature exceeded 40-45.degree. C. for at least 30 minutes. The
authors also found that freezing the laundry at -17.degree. C. for
at least two hours killed 100% of all life stages and that dry
cleaning with perchloroethylene resulted in 100% mortality of all
life stages. However, cold soaking laundry for 24 hours was
sufficient to kill the active stages, but had no effect on survival
of bed bug eggs.
[0005] Taking all of these options into consideration, it appears
that the easiest and most effective way to eradicate all life
stages of bed bugs is to expose them to the heat of a clothes dryer
at a temperature above 45.degree. C. and for a time period of at
least 30 minutes. The question is, how does one assure that the
requisite temperature has been achieved and has been maintained for
the requisite time period? The present invention intends to answer
this question.
[0006] In addition, the teachings of the present invention may
equally be applied to eradication of lice, although higher
temperatures are required.
[0007] The following prior art is known to Applicant:
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,733,905 to Bremer; U.S. Pat. No. 3,951,133
to Reese; U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,537 to Barrett; and U.S. Pat. No.
5,622,137 to Lupton, Jr. et al., as well as Published Application
Nos. US 2006/0121229 A1 to Nagae and US 2009/0046760 A1 to Matheson
all disclose chemically based thermometer devices in which
temperature sensing chemicals are employed which can change color
responsive to desired temperatures being achieved. None of these
patents teaches or suggests using such a device to ensure that a
threshold temperature has been reached facilitating eradication of
bed bugs.
[0009] U.S. Published Patent Application Nos. US 2010/0120652 A1 to
Corrado and US 2010/0166818 A1 to Troutman disclose the use of
pesticides in laundering clothing to eradicate bed bugs. The
present invention differs from the teachings of these Published
Applications as contemplating an apparatus and method for
eradicating bed bugs in all of their life stages by exposing them
to a threshold temperature for a desired time period without use of
pesticides.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention relates to a time and temperature
duration indicator for eradicating pests and its method of use. The
present invention includes the following interrelated objects,
aspects and features:
[0011] (1) In a first aspect, the present invention contemplates a
temperature sensor that includes a thermochromic material that
changes color when the desired temperature is achieved. The color
change is to a translucent color that allows one to view a material
behind the thermochromic material. Additionally, a wax may be
employed that melts at the desired temperature evidencing that the
desired temperature has been achieved, and is provided in
sufficient quantity that complete melting indicates that the
desired temperature has been achieved for the desired duration.
[0012] (2) As noted above, it is important to know that the desired
temperature, typically 120.degree. F. or approximately 49.degree.
C. for bed bugs or 156.degree. F. (69.degree. C.) for lice has been
achieved and maintained for the desired time period. For this
reason, in the case of bed bugs, Applicant has found that
approximately 0.1 grams of a paraffin wax elevated to a temperature
of 120.degree. F. melts over a period of 20 minutes. In the case of
lice, 0.17-0.22 grams of another paraffin wax elevated to a
temperature of 156.degree. F. melts over a period of 20 minutes.
Thus, by choosing the desired type and quantity of wax, one may
determine whether the desired elevated temperature has been
maintained for the desired time period.
[0013] (3) In a further aspect, another means is contemplated in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In
particular, a temperature sensor of any kind sends a signal to a
computer/timer. When the signal indicates that the desired
temperature, for example, 120.degree. F., has been achieved, the
computer starts a timer mechanism. When the timer mechanism
indicates to the computer that the desired temperature has been
maintained for the desired time interval, the computer activates an
indicator that so indicates. If at any time during the period being
timed, the temperature sensor indicates that the temperature has
dropped below the threshold temperature, the computer will stop and
zero the timer and then re-start the timer once the temperature has
regained at least the threshold temperature.
[0014] (4) Several embodiments are contemplated for holding the
inventive device at a desired location to perform its functions.
Thus, one option is to provide a suction cup or other attachment
means that affixes the indicator on the inside of the door of a
clothes dryer. Another option is to provide a container in which
the temperature sensor is contained and which is placed within the
basket of the clothes dryer, but the container separates the sensor
from the wet clothing. A further option is to use any desired
adhesive to adhere the temperature sensor to an inside wall of the
clothes dryer.
[0015] (5) Where the embodiment is employed in which a computer is
utilized, the connection between the temperature sensor and the
computer may, if desired, be wireless via a transmitter/receiver
sub-system.
[0016] Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention
to provide a time and temperature duration indicator for
eradicating bed bugs or lice and method of use.
[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
such a device in which in one embodiment thereof a chemical
temperature indicator is employed.
[0018] It is a yet further object of the present invention to
provide such a device in which a temperature sensor is employed
that sends signals indicating temperature to a computer/timer.
[0019] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
such a system in which a temperature sensor is contained within a
basket placed within a clothes dryer.
[0020] It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide such a system in which a suction cup or other attachment
means is used to attach the temperature sensor on the door of a
clothes dryer inside its basket.
[0021] These and other objects, aspects and features of the present
invention will be better understood from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction
with the appended drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of
time temperature indicator.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the time temperature indicator
of FIG. 1 before indicating the desired temperature for the desired
time interval.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a view similar to that of FIG. 2 but showing
the indication of the time temperature interval desired.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows the second embodiment of the present invention
in which a fenestrated ball has a chamber accessible via a slot in
which may be inserted a time temperature indicator.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows a further view of the device of FIG. 4.
[0027] FIG. 6 shows an alternative construction of the embodiment
of FIGS. 4 and 5 in which a door is provided to which is releasably
affixed the time temperature indicator.
[0028] FIG. 7 shows a further view of the modification of FIG.
6.
[0029] FIG. 8 shows a rectangular cubic box having a plurality of
fenestrations and including a pivotable door allowing access to its
internal chamber to place and remove a time temperature
indicator.
[0030] FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a first example of a time temperature indicator
in accordance with the teachings of the present invention
designated by the reference numeral 10, and including a rectangular
base or substrate 11 with attachment means comprising an opening 13
sized to attach at a desired location such as receiving the end of
a hook 15 affixed to a fastener 17 which can comprise a suction cup
or one-half of a hook and pile fastening means such as known by the
registered trademark VELCRO. Suction cup 17 or other attachment
means may be used to affix the indicator 10 within the door (not
shown) of the dryer (not shown). Where the dryer door has a
transparent window, this enables the user to view the indicator 10
from outside the dryer. The base 11 includes a spot 19 thereon
which consists of a quantity of a temperature sensing chemical
which turns color when exposed to a temperature above a
predetermined threshold. The base or substrate 11 can be made of
cardboard, plastic or metal.
[0032] In an alternative embodiment, the spot 19 may consist of a
layer of a wax covering a colored spot underneath. The quantity of
wax chosen is such that when it is exposed to a desired temperature
for a desired duration of time, the wax melts completely away
exposing the colored spot. In one example, a first paraffin wax
that melts at 120.degree. F., provided in a quantity of 0.1 grams
will melt completely approximately 20 minutes. As such, such a
quantity of wax covering a colored spot will melt away if exposed
to a temperature of 120.degree. F. for a period of at least 20
minutes, thereby exposing the colored spot and indicating to a
viewer that the device 10 has been exposed to a temperature of
120.degree. F. for a period of at least 20 minutes. One of ordinary
skill in the art can easily, from this information, determine the
quantity of wax required so that at a particular temperature and a
particular duration, the quantity melts away revealing an indicator
underneath. As another example, 0.17-0.22 grams of another type of
paraffin wax melts completely away at a temperature of 156.degree.
F. for a duration of 20 minutes. These paraffin waxes are easily
obtainable from Swans Candles LLP of Lakewood, Wash.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows the device 10 with the spot 19 before the
elevated temperature has caused a change and FIG. 3 shows the spot
19 after a temperature change has taken place, either to cause a
thermochromic chemical to change color or for a wax to melt away
revealing a colored spot underneath.
[0034] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a second embodiment of the
present invention is designated by the reference numeral 20 and is
seen to comprise a container comprising a hollow ball having a
plurality of openings 21 that cause it to be fenestrated. A slot 23
(FIG. 4) or a wider opening 25 (FIG. 5) allows insertion of a
device such as the device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The ball 20
may be placed in the drum of a dryer in the midst of clothing with
the surface of the ball 20 protecting the indicator from the
wetness of the clothing, and with the holes 21 allowing
transmission of heat within the ball 20 so that the indicator 10
can receive that heat which causes changes to occur, such as
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and explained hereinabove.
[0035] The container embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 is generally
designated by the reference numeral 30 and includes holes 31 so
that the ball 30 is fenestrated. The ball 30 has a door 33 mounted
on a pivot 35 that in the opened position exposes an internal
chamber 37 into which an indicator such as the indicator 10 may be
placed, whereupon the door 33 may be closed and the ball 30 may be
inserted into the drum of a dryer so that heat from the dryer
penetrates through the holes 31 and causes changes to occur in the
indicator 10 such as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0036] Reference is now made to FIG. 8 which shows a further
embodiment of the present invention generally designated by the
reference numeral 40. In this embodiment, a container comprises a
rectangular cubic box including a body 41, a lid 43 hingedly
mounted to the body 41, and when open allowing access to an
internal chamber 45 in which an indicator such as the indicator 10
may be placed. The box 40 may include a plurality of holes 47
intended to receive hooks 15 and attachment means 17 such as
described with reference to FIG. 1, namely, suction cups, hook and
pile fastening means or any other desired fastener. The box 40 is
fenestrated by virtue of having a plurality of holes 42
therethrough which permit heat from within the drum of a dryer to
penetrate into the chamber 45 and expose the indicator 10 to the
temperature within the drum.
[0037] With reference to FIG. 9, a further embodiment of the
present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral
50 and is seen to include a computer/timer 51, a temperature sensor
53, and an indicator 55. The temperature sensor 53 may be
interconnected with the computer/timer 51 by a wired connection 57
or a wireless connection relying upon a transmitter 58 with an
antenna 59, and a receiver 60 with an antenna 61. The transmitter
58 is connected to the temperature sensor 53 and the receiver 60 is
connected to the computer/timer 51.
[0038] In operation of the embodiment of FIG. 9, the temperature
sensor 53 is located within the drum of a clothes dryer. It can be
mounted as shown in FIG. 1, or contained within a ball such as
illustrated in FIGS. 4-7, or within a box such as illustrated in
FIG. 8. When the temperature sensor 53 senses temperatures, signals
corresponding to those temperatures are transmitted to the
computer/timer either by the wired connection 57 or via the
transmitter 58 and receiver 60. Once the temperature sensed by the
temperature sensor 53 exceeds a pre-set threshold, the
computer/timer 51 activates its timer and begins timing the time
period within which the sensed temperature is above the pre-set
threshold. If the duration of time in which the temperature sensed
is ever greater than the pre-set threshold, at the conclusion of
that time period, the computer/timer 51 sends a signal to the
indicator 55 activating the indicator which can be audible, visual,
or a combination audible/visual indication. If, during a period in
which the timer is activated, the temperature sensed by the
temperature sensor 53 drops below the pre-set threshold, the
computer/timer stops the timer and re-sets it to zero so that it
can re-start once the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor
53 rises above the pre-set threshold.
[0039] Applicant has found that in order to exterminate all stages
of bed bug life, the clothing and bedding within the clothes dryer
must be exposed to a temperature of at least 120.degree. F. for a
time duration of at least 20 minutes. For lice, a higher
temperature such as 156.degree. for a similar time period must be
achieved.
[0040] As explained above, Applicant has experimented with what
quantity of a particular wax with a melting point of 120.degree. F.
must be employed so that the entirety of the wax is melted away
within a desired time period such as, for example, 20 minutes. In
conducting experiments, Applicant discovered that 0.1 grams of
120.degree. F. melting point paraffin wax completely melts over an
elapsed time of 20 minutes at 120.degree. F. Applicant has examined
typical U.S. clothes dryers and has concluded that in a 20 minute
timed drying cycle, the drum achieved the temperature of
160.degree. F. on the high setting, 130.degree. F. on the medium
setting, 120.degree. F. on the low setting, and 110.degree. F. on
the very low setting. When the cycle was instead increased to 40
minutes, the temperatures were: High--170.degree. F.;
Medium--140.degree. F.; Low--130.degree. F.; and Very
Low--120.degree. F.
[0041] As should be understood, the heat capacitance of any
material measures its change in temperature as energy applied.
Thus, it is possible to determine the amount of energy that must be
applied to, for example, a wax, to start it melting and complete a
melting process. As explained above, to kill lice, a higher
temperature must be achieved, at least 156.degree. F. for a period
of 20 minutes. In that case, another formulation of a paraffin wax
having a melting point of 156.degree. F. is employed.
[0042] In the method of practicing the present invention, one must
first provide a temperature indicator that also provides for
knowledge concerning the time duration at which the temperature has
been continuously elevated above a desired threshold. Such an
indicator is mounted within an area where heat is to be applied
such as, for example, the drum of a clothes dryer. Clothing and
perhaps bedding are placed within the drum and the dryer is
activated at a temperature setting that will result in elevation of
the temperature of the dryer to a level above the threshold needed
to kill all stages of a bed bug (120.degree. F.) for 20 minutes, or
lice (156.degree. F.) for 20 minutes. The drying cycle is completed
and if the indicator indicates that the threshold pre-set
temperature has been achieved for the desired time period, the user
can be assured that the bed bugs or lice or both have been
eradicated in all of their stages of life from eggs to larvae, to
adults. In this way, the user can be assured that these pests have
been eradicated.
[0043] As such, an invention has been disclosed in terms of
preferred embodiments thereof which fulfill each and every one of
the objects of the present invention as set forth hereinabove, and
provide a new and useful time and temperature duration indicator
for eradicating pests as well as lice, and the method of practicing
the invention of great novelty and utility.
[0044] Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations in
the present invention may be contemplated by those of ordinary
skill in the art without departing from the intended spirit and
scope thereof.
[0045] As such, it is intended that the present invention only be
limited by the terms of the appended claims.
* * * * *